Thermo container



L.' W. FOY

THERMO CONTAINER Filed Sept. 27, 1933 Patented Dec. 11, 1934l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l 2 Claims.

Generically this invention relates to containers,

, but it more especially is directed to a thermo type of shipping container adapted to keep perishable products fresh during transit, and particularly adaptable in connection with the transportation of such products. by vessel, automobile truck, or

railroad. g

One of the principal objects of this invention is the provision of a novel shipping thermo container adapted to be made in various sizes depending upon the nature and quantity of the particular products to be shipped, length of haul, and type of transportation facilities employed. For instance, where it is desired to transport the products by truck, the container device may conform substantially to the interior dimensions of the truck body, so as to be loaded and slipped into said body and removed with its contents at point of destination, or the contents may be removed and the container allowed to remain as a liner or component of said body for repeated loads, as desired.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a combined shipping case and storage container of this character adapted not only to facilitate handling of the products and to keep the saine from the deteriorating effects of atmospheric and climatic conditions during course of transit, but also, if desired, constituting a storage medium adapted to keep the products fresh during dispensing thereof, where the complete removal of the contents is not immediately eiected.

An important object of this invention is the provision of a thermo shipping case or receptacle comprising inner and outer containers arranged in spaced relation to provide an air space, an insulating material covering the inner wall of the outer container and the outer wall of the inner container, brace means mounted in said space in a manner to permit circulation of air therethrough, said brace means adapted to structurally Astrengthen the device, prevent collapse of the containers, support and maintain the insulating covering in proper position, and to constitute heat absorbing mediums, means for creating a vacuum in said air space, and thermo door means for sealing said device. n

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangementof parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures, of which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved thermo container.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the container showing the doors in closed position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectionized detail perspective view of a corner of the container with parts broken away.

Figure 5 is a detail fragmentary sectional view showing one form of brace connection.

Briefly it was to overcome the disadvantages heretofore prevalent in shipping perishable Cif products and to provide a shipping case or receptacle formed of inner and outer spaced metallic containers, an intermediate air space between the containers, an insulating covering applied to the walls of said space, a plurality of heat absorbing metallic brace members mounted intermediate the containers with their alternate ends spaced from said insulating covering to provide an air passage through said space, said braces adapted to support the containers in spaced relation, maintain the insulating covering in engagement with said Walls, and adapted to absorb such heat as may be in said space after the vacuum has been created therein, and thermo door elements adapted to seal the device, that I designed the thermo receptacle or container device forming the subject matter of this invention.

In the illustrated embodiment characterizing this invention there is shown a container or receptacle A comprising a metallic aluminum alloy outer container 1 in the present instance, rectangular in configuration open at one end and formed on each of vits side walls with an integral inwardly projecting right angle flange 2. A similar metallic aluminum alloy inner container 3 of smaller dimensions is telescopically arranged within container l in spaced relation with respect thereto, so as to form the intervening vacuum space or chamber 4 substantially surrounding the inner container 3 and produce receiving space 5. The meeting ends of container 3 and flange 2, as at 6, are fused or otherwise suitably united and which seals space 4. It is obvious that the ange 2 may be formed on the inner container 3 instead of on container 1 if desired.

The inner surface or wall of container l and the outer surface or wall of container 3 has a covering or layerof cork or other suitable insulating material suitably secured thereto. In other words, the walls of vacuum space 4 are completely covered by insulating cork material 'I and which insulates inner container 3 and produce receiving space 5, as willy be apparent.

In order to structurally strengthen the device and prevent collapsing of the inner container 3 with respect to the outer container 1, a plurality of brace and spacer members 8 are suitably mounted in parallel spaced relation in space 5 transversely of the respective side and end Walls of containers 1 and .3. Said brace members 8 are shorter than the height of space 4 and are positioned with their alternate ends spaced from the cork covering 7 to provide air passageway 9, so that one end and the respective sides of each brace member 8 seats against the cork covering 7 and is secured to said covering and the containers 1 and 3 by screws 10, thereby not only bracing the container walls but supporting the .cork layers in position and in engagement with the walls of said space 4. 'Ihe metallic braces 8 are preferably formed of an aluminum alloy and constitute heat absorbing mediums adapted to maintain the vacuum space 4 cool after the air has been exhausted from said space. While the braces are shown as connected by screws 10 it is to be understood that bolts or other suitable fastening means may be employed if desired. Also the heads of screws 10 may be slightly countersunk and sealed by fusing with the container wall or in any suitable manner if desired.

An aperture 11 is formed in the outer container 1 communicating with space 4 and adapted to be sealed by plug 12 or other suitable means. It is apparent that the lair in said space 4 may be drawn therefrom through opening 11, the passageway 9 permitting the complete exhaustion of the air from said space thereby creating a. vacuum therein.

The open end of the device A is adapted to be closed and sealed by a pair of .complemental thermo doors 13 mounted on flange portion 2 by hinges 14 secured by suitable fastening elements 15. Said doors are formed with air spaces 4', the inner walls of which are covered with an insulating layer of cork or the like 7 similar to space 8. 'I'he air is exhausted from said spaces 4 creating vacuum spaces similar to space 8 as will be clear without further description. One of said doors 13 is formed with a ledge 16 adapted to seat in the cut out portion 17 formed in the meeting edge of the other door. Said doors are interlocked by a conventional latch bolt and operating handle structure 18.

Fused or otherwise suitably secured to the inner surface of the respective sides of the inner container 3 is a door stop element 19 in the face of which is suitably embedded or secured a rubber facing 2'0 forming a resilient seat for said doors when in closed position and constituting an air seal for said space 5. The ledge 16 is formed with a rubber or other suitable seal 20 similar -to element 19, so that when the doors 13 are closed the interior of the device or receiving chamber 5 is sealed and completely insulated from the exterior atmosphere.

As a protection for the bottom of the inner container 3 and to further strengthen the device, a oor 21 constructed of wood or other suitable material is laid on said bottom within space 5 and is secured by L-shaped clamp members 22 fused or otherwise suitably attached to said bottom wall of container 3 or by any suitable fastening means.

While I have preferably constructed the inner and outer containers of an aluminum alloy, it is to be understood that I am not limiting myself to such materials, since other materials may be found to be utilizable in View of particular working requirements.

In view of the above it is apparent that I have designed a thermo shipping container or receptacle simple in construction, versatile in use, manufacturable at a minimum of cost, and'eficient for the purposes intended.

Although in practice I have found that the form of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing and referred to in the above description as the preferred embodiment is the most eilicient and practical, yet realizing the conditions concurrent with the adoption 'of my invention will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement 'of parts, may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or sacricing any of the principles of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire protected by Letters Patent is as set fort in the following claims:

1. A thermo shipping case comprising inner and outer containers arranged in spaced relation andl integrally connected at one end of the case forming an air space intermediate the containers and having `a. sealable opening through which air may be withdrawn to create a vacuum in said space, a covering of insulating material for the inner wall surface of the outer container and the outer wall surface of the inner container, a plurality of spaced metallic heat absorbing brace supports mounted in said. space with their alter nate ends spaced from the wall of said space to Support said covering and form a continuous tortuous passage to permit the complete withdrawal of the air from said space through said opening, and a movable closure for said case.

2. A thermo shipping 'case comprising inner and outer containers arranged in spaced relation integrally connected at one end of the case and forming a continuous air space surrounding the .sides and one end of the inner container and having a sealable opening through which air may be exhausted in a single operation from said space to create a vacuum therein, an insulating material covering the inner wall surfaces of said space, a plurality vof spaced metallic heat absorbing brace supports mounted in said space with their, alternate ends spaced from the wall of said space to form a continuous tortuous air passage within said space, each of said supports adapted to engage and support said insulating covering in contact with opposite wall surfaces of said space, fastening means securing the insulating covering and container wall to each brace support, and a thermo closure means for said case.

LILLIAN WALKER FOY.

Cil 

